India requests Vijay Mallya’s extradition from UK.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday informed that India has on Wednesday handed over the request for extradition of embattled business tycoon Vijay Mallya received from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to the United Kingdom High Commission.

“We have today handed over the request for extradition of Vijay Mallya as received from the CBI to the UK High Commission in New Delhi,” MEA official spokesperson Vikas Swarup told the media.

The development came two days after the Karnataka High Court ordered winding up of United Breweries (Holding) Ltd, the 102-year- old parent company of the UB Group.

The extradition process was necessary as United Kingdom in its communication of May 5, 2016 had stated that it recognised the seriousness of charges against Mallya which included defaulting in paying loans amounting to ₹9,000 crore to a consortium of 17 banks.

The Indian foreign ministry said on Thursday that it lodged a formal request with the British high commission in the capital, New Delhi, after investigators demanded that Mallya be brought home to face charges of financial fraud and defaulting on loans.

Mallya, owner of the now defunct Kingfisher Airlines, left India on March 2, 2016 without meeting his legal and banking obligations.

Mallya has an arrest warrant issued by the designated Court in April 2016. At the request of the Enforcement Directorate and following the due procedures, the passport of Mallya was revoked on April 23, 2016.

Following his departure to U.K., India sent a “Note Verbale” to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK on April 28, 2016 asking for the return of Mallya following revocation of his diplomatic passport. However, U.K. had stated that deportation was not possible as Mallya had entered the country with a valid visa,sources said.

Sources further suggested that to seek Mallya’s return, India could activate the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty or formal extradition.The UK Government acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and expressed its readiness to consider this request, the official said.